Method of releasing the roughened surface of washed cloth

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth ( 21 ) which can prevent a cloth ( 21 ) with fibers protruding therefrom from being roughened due to fiber lumping after washing. The method of releasing the roughened surface of the washed cloth ( 21 ) generated when the cloth ( 21 ) is rubbed with wash water filled in a tub ( 10 ) by rotation of a drum ( 20 ) includes a first step of discharging the wash water from the washed cloth ( 21 ) to the tub ( 10 ), by rotating the drum ( 20 ) so that the washed cloth ( 21 ) can stick to the drum ( 20 ), and a second step of solving fiber lumping of the washed cloth ( 21 ), by using the motion of the washed cloth ( 21 ) by a frictional force between the rotated drum ( 20 ) and the washed cloth ( 21 ) by rotating the drum ( 20 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth, and more particularly, to a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth which can prevent a cloth with fibers protruding therefrom from being roughened by fiber lumping after washing.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional drum type washing machine, after wash water is filled in a tub, a drum is rotated, so that a cloth is lifted by lifts of the drum, dropped by the gravity (tumbled), and washed by friction with the wash water.

Such friction applies a non-uniform force to the cloth, to thereby cause fiber lumping to the cloth. Meanwhile, a conventional drum type washing method performs washing by the combination of a washing process, a draining process, a rinsing process and a dewatering process. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the wash water and the cloth are rubbed with each other. Such processes probably cause the fiber lumping. In the dewatering process, the washed cloth is rotated in a sticking state to the drum. Therefore, the dewatering process cannot solve the fiber lumping. The draining process is nothing but a process of discharging the wash water, and thus cannot solve the fiber lumping.

If the washed cloth is a woven cloth with fibers protruding therefrom, such as a towel, the fiber lumping gets more serious. Particularly, since the user uses the towel in washing his/her face, the roughened surface of the towel causes great inconvenience.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth which can solve fiber lumping of the washed cloth.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth which can overcome the surface roughness of the washed cloth resulting from the fiber lumping.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth which can solve fiber lumping of a towel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth which can solve fiber lumping of the washed cloth, by applying thermal or kinetic energy for solving the fiber lumping to the washed cloth.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth which can solve fiber lumping of the washed cloth, as soon as it occurs.

In order to achieve the above-described objects of the invention, there is provided a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth generated when the cloth is rubbed with wash water filled in a tub by rotation of a drum, including: a first step of discharging the wash water from the washed cloth to the tub, by rotating the drum so that the washed cloth can stick to the drum; and a second step of solving fiber lumping of the washed cloth, by using the motion of the washed cloth by a frictional force between the rotated drum and the washed cloth by rotating the drum.

In one aspect of the present invention, the second step includes a process of applying thermal energy to the washed cloth by supplying steam into the drum.

In another aspect of the present invention, the second step includes a process of applying kinetic energy to the washed cloth by supplying wind into the drum. In the case that the steam supply is accompanied in the second step, the wind is preferably supplied after the steam.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the wind is hot wind.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the washed cloth includes a towel.

In addition, there is provided a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in a washing course including the combination of the steps of: supplying wash water into a tub; rubbing the cloth with the wash water filled in the tub by rotating a drum; and discharging the wash water from the tub, wherein the washing course includes a fiber lumping solving process having: a first step of discharging the wash water from the washed cloth to the tub, by rotating the drum so that the washed cloth can stick to the drum; and a second step of solving fiber lumping of the washed cloth, by rotating the drum so that the washed cloth can perform the motion in the drum by a frictional force between the rotated drum and the washed cloth.

In one aspect of the present invention, the washing course includes the steps of:

supplying the wash water into the tub; rubbing the cloth with the wash water filled in the tub by rotating the drum; discharging the wash water from the tub; and a fiber lumping solving process. The wash water supply step, the rubbing step, the discharge step and the fiber lumping solving process are repeatedly carried out.

In another aspect of the present invention, the washing course includes, at least three times, a step of discharging the wash water from the tub, and the fiber lumping solving process is performed every time after the above step. This configuration means that the washing course includes at least two washing processes or at least two rinsing processes and the fiber lumping solving process is applied to every process.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the washing course includes, at least once, a step of discharging the wash water fan the tub, and the fiber lumping solving process is always performed after the above step.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the fiber lumping solving process includes at least one of the steps of: applying thermal energy to the washed cloth by supplying steam into the drum; and applying kinetic energy to the washed cloth by supplying wind into the drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a configuration view illustrating one example of a washing machine to which a method according to the present invention is applicable;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a configuration view illustrating another example of the washing machine to which the method according to the present invention is applicable; and

FIG. 5 is a configuration view illustrating yet another example of the washing machine to which the method according to the present invention is applicable.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration view illustrating one example of a washing machine to which the method according to the present invention is applicable. A washing machine 100 includes a tub 10 for containing wash water, a drum 20 rotatably installed in the tub 10, for performing washing, and a control unit 30 for controlling a washing course. The tub 10 includes a wash water heater 11 for heating the wash water supplied into the tub 10 through a water supply passage 40.

Normally, after a cloth 21 is put into the drum 20, in a water supply process, the wash water is supplied with a detergent into the tub 10 through the water supply passage 40 to fill the drum 20 to some extent. In a washing process, the drum 20 is rotated, so that the cloth 21 is tumbled, rubbed with the wash water and washed. In a draining process, the washwater is discharged. In a dewatering process, the remaining wash water is discharged from the cloth 21 to the tub 10, and then to the outside. In a water supply process, the wash water is supplied into the tub 10 through the water supply passage 40 to fill the drum 20 to some extent. In a rinsing process, the drum 20 is rotated, so that the cloth 21 is tumbled, rubbed with the wash water and rinsed. In a draining process, the wash water is discharged. In a dewatering process, the remaining wash water is discharged from the cloth 21 to the tub 10, and then to the outside. The water supply process, the rinsing process and the dewatering process are repeated a few times, to thereby finish the washing.

In the above washing course, fiber lumping may occur in the washed cloth 21. The present inventors found out that the fiber lumping was generated by friction between the cloth 21 and the wash water and seriously affected by a large temperature change of the wash water. Therefore, the present inventors reached the conclusion that the fiber lumping could be solved by applying energy for solving the fiber lumping to the washed cloth 21 in a process which does not use the wash water.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In order to solve fiber lumping generated by friction between the cloth 21 and the wash water in the rotation of the drum 20, the present invention accompanies the corresponding processes (for example, the washing process and the rinsing process). If the wash water remains in the washed cloth 21, it is impossible to solve the fiber lumping. Accordingly, the wash water is removed from the washed cloth 21 and discharged to the tub 10, by rotating the drum 20 so that the washed cloth 21 can stick to the drum 20. Thereafter, the drum 20 is rotated at a uniform speed to tumble the washed cloth 21. As the washed cloth 21 performs the motion in the drum 20, mechanical energy is generated to loosen the lumped fibers of the washed cloth 21. However, the drum 20 is not essentially rotated at a uniform speed.

Meanwhile, wind is supplied into the drum 20 so that kinetic energy of the wind can efficiently solve the fiber lumping. In addition, hot wind is supplied into the drum 20 so that kinetic energy and thermal energy can be applied to more efficiently solve the fiber lumping. A washing machine of FIG. 5 can be used to supply the wind.

Furthermore, steam is supplied into the drum 20 so that thermal energy of the steam can efficiently solve the fiber lumping. In case the fiber lumping solving process is performed last in the operation of the washing machine, or in order to efficiently solve the fiber lumping, the wind or hot wind can be supplied after the steam. A washing machine of FIG. 4 or 5 can be used to supply the steam.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. So as to solve fiber lumping generated by friction between the cloth 21 and the wash water in the rotation of the drum 20, the present invention accompanies the corresponding processes (for example, the washing process and the rinsing process). Preferably, a fiber lumping solving process is performed every time after the processes. If the wash water remains in the washed cloth 21, it is impossible to solve the fiber lumping. Therefore, the wash water is removed from the washed cloth 21 and discharged to the tub 10, by rotating the drum 20 so that the washed cloth 21 can stick to the drum 20. Thereafter, the drum 20 is rotated at a uniform speed to tumble the washed cloth 21. As the washed cloth 21 performs the motion in the drum 20, mechanical energy is generated to loosen the lumped fibers of the washed cloth 21. However, the drum 20 is not essentially rotated at a uniform speed.

That is, the fiber lumping solving process is performed after the water supply process, the washing process and the draining process. In addition, after the water supply process, the rinsing process and the draining process are carried out, the fiber lumping solving process is performed. If the rinsing process is carried out twice, the fiber lumping solving process can be applied to every rinsing process. If the washing process is carried out twice, the fiber lumping solving process can be applied to every washing process. Here, the fiber lumping solving process needs not to be applied to all the processes. However, according to the present invention, the fiber lumping solving process is performed at least twice, preferably, every time after the processes generating the fiber lumping, for solving the fiber lumping of the washed cloth 21. As the fiber lumping is sufficiently solved by the above procedure, the roughened surface of the washed cloth 21 is released, to thereby increase the convenience of the user.

In the meantime, in the fiber lumping solving process, wind is supplied into the drum 20 so that kinetic energy of the wind can efficiently solve the fiber lumping. In addition, hot wind is supplied into the drum 20 so that kinetic energy and thermal energy can be applied to more efficiently solve the fiber lumping. A washing machine of FIG. 5 can be used to supply the wind.

Moreover, in the fiber lumping solving process, steam is supplied into the drum 20 so that thermal energy of the steam can efficiently solve the fiber lumping. In case the fiber lumping solving process is performed last in the operation of the washing machine, or in order to efficiently solve the fiber lumping, the wind or hot wind can be supplied after the steam. A washing machine of FIG. 4 or 5 can be used to supply the steam.

FIG. 4 is a configuration view illustrating another example of the washing machine to which the method according to the present invention is applicable. A washing machine 200 includes a tub 10 filled with wash water and provided with a wash water heater 11, a drum 20 rotatably installed in the tub 10, for performing washing, and a control unit 30 for controlling a washing course. The washing machine 200 further includes a water supply passage 40. A steam passage 42 including a steam generator 41 provided with a heater 43 is formed at the water supply passage 40. In a fiber lumping solving process, steam is supplied into the drum 20, so that thermal energy is applied to a washed cloth 21 to efficiently solve fiber lumping.

FIG. 5 is a configuration view illustrating yet another example of the washing machine to which the method according to the present invention is applicable. A washing machine 300 includes a tub 10 filled with wash water and provided with a wash water heater 11, a drum 20 rotatably installed in the tub 10, for performing washing, and a control unit 30 for controlling a washing course.

The washing machine 300 includes a duct 50 provided with a fan 51 for circulating wind in the drum 20. The duct 50 is provided with a heater 52 for generating hot wind. This washing machine 300 can solve fiber lumping not only by the rotation of the drum 20 but also by kinetic energy of the wind. In addition, the washing machine 300 further includes a water supply passage 40. A steam passage 42 including a steam generator 41 provided with a heater 43 is formed at the water supply passage 40. In this configuration, steam is supplied into the drum 20, so that thermal energy is applied to a washed cloth 21 to efficiently solve the fiber lumping.

In the case that the steam is supplied into the drum 20 to solve the fiber lumping, the wind can be succeedingly supplied into the drum 20 to solve the fiber lumping and remove the steam supplied to the washed cloth 21. Particularly, it is preferable when the fiber lumping solving process using the steam is performed last in the operation of the washing machine.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these preferred embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In accordance with the present invention, the method of releasing the roughened surface of the washed cloth can solve the fiber lumping of the washed cloth.

In accordance with the present invention, the method of releasing the roughened surface of the washed cloth can overcome the surface roughness of the washed cloth resulting from the fiber lumping.

In accordance with the present invention, the method of releasing the roughened surface of the washed cloth can solve the fiber lumping of the towel.

In accordance with the present invention, the method of releasing the roughened surface of the washed cloth can solve the fiber lumping of the washed cloth by applying thermal or kinetic energy for solving the fiber lumping to the washed cloth.

In accordance with the present invention, the method of releasing the roughened surface of the washed cloth can solve the fiber lumping of the washed cloth, as soon as it occurs. 

1. A method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in a washing course, comprising: a first step of discharging wash water from the washed cloth to a tub, by rotating a drum so that the washed cloth can stick to the drum; and a second step of solving fiber lumping of the washed cloth, by rotating the drum so that the washed cloth can perform the notion in the drum by a frictional force between the rotated drum and the washed cloth.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second step comprises a process of applying thermal energy to the washed cloth by supplying steam into the drum.
 3. The method of either claim 1 or 2, wherein the second step comprises a process of applying kinetic energy to the washed cloth by supplying wind into the drum.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wind is hot wind.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the washed cloth comprises a towel.
 6. A method of releasing a roughened surface of a washed cloth in a washing course comprising the combination of the steps of: supplying wash water into a tub; rubbing the cloth with the wash water filled in the tub by rotating a drum; and discharging the wash water from the tub, wherein the washing course comprises a fiber lumping solving process including: a first step of discharging the wash water from the washed cloth to the tub, by rotating the drum so that the washed cloth can stick to the drum; and a second step of solving fiber lumping of the washed cloth, by rotating the drum so that the washed cloth can perform the notion in the drum by a frictional force between the rotated drum and the washed cloth.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the washing course comprises the fiber lumping solving process at least twice.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the washing course comprises the steps of: supplying the wash water into the tub; rubbing the cloth with the wash water filled in the tub by rotating the drum; discharging the wash water from the tub; and a fiber lumping solving process, the above steps and the fiber lumping solving process being repeatedly carried out.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the washing course comprises, at least three times, a step of discharging the wash water from the tub, and the fiber lumping solving process is performed every time after the above step.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the washing course comprises, at least once, a step of discharging the wash water from the tub, and the fiber lumping solving process is always performed after the above step.
 11. The method of any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the fiber lumping solving process comprises at least one of the steps of: applying thermal energy to the washed cloth by supplying steam into the drum, and applying kinetic energy to the washed cloth by supplying wind into the drum. 